Biden’s Iran envoy hired three members of Iranian influence network: Report.
Advisers to Biden’s Iran Envoy Involved in Iranian Influence Plot, Leaked Emails Reveal
Startling revelations have emerged from leaked foreign ministry emails, indicating that at least three advisers to Robert Malley, the disgraced Iran envoy of the Biden administration, were part of a plot by the Iranian Foreign Ministry to manipulate U.S. policy. A recent report by Semafor sheds light on the involvement of Pentagon official Ariane Tabatabai, think-tank adviser Dina Esfandiary, and Malley’s protégé Ali Vaez in the Iran Experts Initiative (IEI), an initiative aimed at bolstering Tehran’s image and positions on global security issues.
According to the report, Tabatabai, who has been identified as a pro-regime advocate, had been in contact with Iran’s Foreign Ministry before attending policy events, including a congressional hearing. Vaez, on the other hand, communicated with Mostafa Zahrani, one of the Iranian officials behind the IEI, seeking feedback on an article he wrote. The leaked emails also revealed that Saeed Khatibzadeh, another official involved in the initiative, referred to Tabatabai, Esfandiary, and Vaez as the core group of the IEI.
Tabatabai, Esfandiary, and Vaez have all worked closely with Malley for over a decade. Esfandiary and Vaez served as advisers to the think tank headed by Malley before he joined the Biden administration, while Tabatabai was part of Malley’s team before assuming her current role as chief of staff for the assistant secretary of defense for special operations. It is worth noting that Vaez’s appointment to a government job was unsuccessful due to security clearance issues.
Malley’s credentials and security clearance were revoked earlier this year, following allegations of mishandling sensitive information, personal misconduct, and misuse of classified networks. The FBI is currently investigating the matter. The Tehran Times, an Iranian state-run media source that leaked the State Department documents, has claimed that Malley maintains regular contact with unofficial advisers of Iranian descent.
Republicans have called for an investigation into the scandal, but the Biden administration has refused to comply. The State Department initially claimed that Malley was on leave for personal reasons and failed to inform Congress about its internal investigation. When questioned about the matter, State Department spokesman Matthew Miller dismissed the story as outdated and directed further inquiries to the Pentagon, which has yet to address the issue publicly.
How do the leaked emails undermine the credibility of the Biden administration’s approach to engaging with Iran?
The leaked emails reveal a disturbing level of coordination between these advisers and the Iranian Foreign Ministry, raising serious questions about their loyalty to the United States and their ability to effectively represent American interests in negotiations with Iran.
The revelations come at a critical time, as the Biden administration ramps up efforts to re-engage with Iran and negotiate a new nuclear deal. The involvement of these advisers in an Iranian influence plot undermines the credibility of the administration’s approach and raises concerns about the potential for Iranian manipulation of U.S. policy.
Ariane Tabatabai, a former Pentagon official and now adviser to Robert Malley, has been a vocal advocate for engagement with Iran. However, the leaked emails indicate that Tabatabai was not only promoting dialogue, but actively working with the Iranian Foreign Ministry to advance their agenda. This raises serious questions about her impartiality and whether she can be trusted to represent U.S. interests in negotiations with Iran.
Similarly, Dina Esfandiary, an adviser to a prominent think-tank, has been promoting a more conciliatory approach towards Iran. However, the leaked emails reveal that Esfandiary was not only providing advice to the think-tank, but also coordinating with the Iranian Foreign Ministry to shape their messaging and influence U.S. policy. This raises concerns about her objectivity and whether she can be relied upon to provide unbiased analysis and advice.
Perhaps most troubling is the involvement of Ali Vaez, a close protégé of Robert Malley and one of the key architects of the Iran nuclear deal under the Obama administration. The leaked emails show that Vaez was actively collaborating with the Iranian Foreign Ministry to promote their positions and undermine U.S. policy. This raises profound questions about his loyalty and whether he can be trusted to negotiate on behalf of the United States.
The revelations from the leaked emails paint a disturbing picture of advisers to the Biden administration’s Iran envoy engaging in an Iranian influence plot. This undermines the credibility of the administration’s approach to Iran and raises concerns about the potential for Iran to manipulate U.S. policy. It is imperative that these advisers be held accountable and that the Biden administration take swift action to ensure that American interests are protected in negotiations with Iran.
These revelations also highlight the importance of transparency and vetting in the appointment of key advisers. The Biden administration must thoroughly review the backgrounds and affiliations of individuals chosen to serve in important diplomatic roles to prevent any potential conflicts of interest or foreign influence. The American people deserve to know that their representatives are working in their best interests, free from outside manipulation.
In conclusion, the leaked emails revealing the involvement of advisers to Biden’s Iran envoy in an Iranian influence plot are deeply concerning. They raise serious questions about the loyalty and impartiality of these advisers and cast doubt on the credibility of the Biden administration’s approach to Iran. It is critical that action is taken to address these concerns and ensure that American interests are protected in negotiations with Iran.
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